Dream Street: W. Eugene Smith's Pittsburgh Project

A new edition of W. Eugene Smith's Pittsburgh project, featuring selected images from his renowned Life photographer, is now available. Commissioned in 1955 to produce one hundred photographs for Stefan Lorant's book commemorating the city's bicentennial, Smith ended up staying a year and compiling twenty thousand images. This new edition, updated with a foreword by Ross Gay, offers a fresh vision of Smith's masterpiece and presents a portrayal of Pittsburgh and postwar America.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In 1955, W. Eugene Smith, renowned Life photographer, embarked on a captivating project in Pittsburgh. Having recently resigned from his high-profile but tumultuous career with Life Magazine, Smith was commissioned to spend three weeks in the city and capture one hundred photographs for journalist and author Stefan Lorant's book commemorating Pittsburgh's bicentennial. However, Smith's stay in Pittsburgh extended to a year, resulting in the compilation of twenty thousand images, which he considered his most ambitious photographic essay. Regrettably, only a fraction of this extraordinary body of work was ever seen, despite Smith's unwavering belief that it stood as his greatest achievement.

In 2001, Sam Stephenson brought forth a remarkable publication, presenting the core images from this project for the first time. Smith meticulously selected these images, asserting that they formed the "synthesis of the whole," offering a profound portrayal of Pittsburgh and capturing the essence of postwar America. This new edition, enriched with a foreword by the esteemed poet Ross Gay, presents a fresh perspective on Smith's masterpiece, allowing readers to delve deeper into his artistic vision.

W. Eugene Smith's Pittsburgh project, spanning an entire year, resulted in a vast collection of photographs that showcased his exceptional talent and dedication. Despite the limited visibility of his work, Smith's profound belief in its significance endured. Through the publication of this new edition, curated with care and insight, readers are granted a privileged glimpse into the world of Smith's photography, further appreciating his unparalleled contribution to the art form.

Weight: 1208g
Dimension: 290 x 250 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226824833
Edition number: First Edition, Enlarged